Secondary Admissions for September 2009

Transfer of Pupils to Secondary Schools September 2009

Your questions answered

Advice for Parents & Carers on Completing the Attached Form

1. Why do I need to complete the preference form?

The Local Education Authority (LEA) is responsible for admissions to LEA community schools and voluntary controlled schools. The governing bodies of voluntary aided and foundation schools are responsible for their own admissions. By law, the LEA must give you an opportunity to express a preference for the school you would like your child to attend, and to give reasons for your preference. The LEA must offer places according to preferences, up to each school’s published admission number (please see the school list in the Parents' and Carers’ Guide to Education Services in Wrexham, page 38 onwards for the admission number of each school). Please note that although the Authority will endeavour to ensure that your child goes to your preferred school, there is no automatic right for your child to be educated at your preferred school. Parents can state up to 3 preferences on the application form, indicating the order of preference from 1st to 3rd.

2. What happens if I do not complete and return the preference form?

If you do not complete and return this form by the required date the Authority may not be able to offer your child a place at your preferred school within the Wrexham area (this includes church aided and foundation schools) for September 2009.

3. I want a place at the designated secondary school – do I still need to return this form expressing a preference for this school?

Yes, it is essential that you return this form. If you do not state your preference for the designated school, and that school subsequently fills up with pupils whose parents do express a preference for that school, the Authority may not be able to offer your child a place there.

4. If I ask for a different school other than the nearest suitable secondary school, will I get free transport?

Please refer to the Authority’s Transport Policy on page 20 of the Parents’ and Carers’ Guide. If you express a preference for a school that is not your nearest suitable school, then you will have the responsibility to make and pay for arrangements for your child to go to that school.

5. I have an older child already attending my preferred school – do I still need to return this form?

Yes, you must still complete and return the form.

6. If I do not get a place at my first preference school, and it is not my designated secondary school, will I then be able to have a place at my designated school?

Not necessarily. If you name as your first preference a school other than the designated secondary school and your application is unsuccessful, you may subsequently find that the designated secondary school is fully subscribed with other parents’ first preferences. We advise you, therefore, to consider carefully how to use your first preference. The Parent’s and Carer’s Guide to Education Services in Wrexham, lists the number of places available at each school, and the numbers admitted for September 2006 and 2007, it also gives information on how many requests for places were received for September 2008. This is only a guide and the position may, however, be different in 2009.

7. If there are more preferences than places available at my preferred school, how will the places be allocated?

Preferences for places at LEA community and voluntary controlled schools are considered on the basis of the Authority’s published ‘over subscription criteria’ which is set out on page 11 of the Parent’s Guide. The information that you provide on the application form is important. All preferences received within the stated timescale of 02/09/2008 to 17/10/2008 are considered before late applications. If your application is late then your child may not be offered a school place at your preferred Wrexham maintained school for September 2009, as the school may be full. If you wish to put forward medical and/or psychological circumstances in support of your preference for a particular school, then you must attach written evidence from a medical practitioner or psychologist. Preferences for places at church aided and foundation schools will be considered in the light of that school’s published admissions criteria.

8. What can I do if my preferences are not met?

If your preferences cannot be met, you will be invited to express further preferences. If this happens you will still have a right of appeal against the decision not to meet your first (or other) preference to an independent appeals panel. Submitting an appeal will not affect any second preference school place already allocated to your child. Information about admission appeals can be found on page 16 of the Parent's Guide.

9. I am applying to the voluntary aided Catholic/Anglican secondary school (St. Joseph’s), or the Foundation school (Maelor School, Penley) should I complete the form?

Yes, as the Authority collates this information and passes it to that school. However, as the LEA is not the admitting authority for these schools, all parents wishing to apply for a place at St. Joseph’s or Maelor School Penley, must also contact that school in the first instance to make an appointment to visit the school and meet the Headteacher. (Please note that this is not an interview but an opportunity for parents to seek information regarding provision in these schools).

10. I am applying to an independent school or a school in another local authority for September 2009 – should I still complete this form?

Yes, It is essential that you fill in Wrexham County Borough’s Application Form as the Authority collates this information and passes it to the appropriate outside authority. Even if your first preference is for a school outside Wrexham County Borough, it is essential that you also use this form to state a preference for a Wrexham County Borough maintained school, in case your application for an independent or non-County Borough school is unsuccessful. If your child has already been offered a definite place at an independent or other LEA maintained school, please state this on the application form and return it stating that this is why you are not expressing any preferences for Wrexham County Borough schools.

11. Can I use a different address, other than home address, for my child’s application?

No, the Authority will accept only the pupil’s home address and not that, for example, of childminder or grandparents. Parents may be asked to provide official documentation showing home address. Parents are advised that a school place may be lawfully withdrawn if the information given on the application form is fraudulent or misleading, and the consequence of this may be that there would be no place available at the next nearest school. If two parents cannot agree which school/schools they prefer, they must seek independent legal advice, and if necessary an appropriate court order, before submitting their one application form to the LEA.

12. Where do I return the completed form to and by when?

Please return the completed form to the headteacher of your child’s current junior/primary school by 17th October 2008. Please note this date as in the event that there are more applications than places available, applications received within the deadline will be given priority and will be considered before those handed in after the deadline.

13. When will I be informed if my child has a place at my preferred school?

You will be contacted as soon as the allocation process has been completed. In any event, you will be informed by 9th March 2009 whether or not your child has been allocated a place at your preferred school.

14. I am still unclear about the arrangements, or have a further question – where can I go for further advice?

Please contact the Admissions Team at 16 Lord Street, Wrexham, LL11 1LG or telephone 01978 297505. E-mail: A&T@wrexham.gov.uk

Should your circumstances change and you need to change your preference of school but have already returned the admission form, please contact the Admissions Office on 01978 297505

View a list of schools from our Schools Database >>

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 Secondary Admission Pack

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